| Re: Newbie here...
Hi there! I'd love to help out with any advice/questions you may have or need. Sounds like a good start! Sodas definitely add in extra calories. I only treat myself to the occasional diet soda and actually don't even like regular sodas anymore. You get used to not having them eventually and now water appeals to me most!
For foods, try to avoid too many sweets, white breads/rices/pasta (go for whole wheat), and overly processed foods packed with sodium and additives. At each meal, I try to have some kind of fruit or vegetable. If I am not in the mood for either, I use salad leaves and stuff it into a wrap or sandwich. I feel more energized to eat more fruits and veggies. For any kind of meat, make sure it's lean and cooked in a healthy way, such as grilled or baked. I eat a lot of grilled chicken breast or turkey breast. I treat myself to the occasional lean steak (filet mignon or sirloin). Make sure you aren't eating too many carbs as well. I aim for about 6 servings per day of healthy carbs. Too much cereal, pasta, bread, sugar can cause extra belly fat. Just simply try to think of this at each meal/snack- Do I have a healthy source of protein? Are there healthy carbs? Are there unhealthy fats? And keep portions moderate!
I love sushi rolls too! White rice isn't as good for you as brown or wild rice, but I think it's fine to have it every now and then. It's still lower in fat and calories, so not the worst food out there or anything. Make sure your sushi has some good fillings in it. Some have crispy fried tempura pieces, spicy mayo sauces, or other fattening items. Immitation crab isn't too terrible, but also doesn't have a lot of nutritional value as compared to some other fish you may find in sushi.
Sandwiches are fine, but try to stick with a healthy bread or wrap. Whole wheat is good, although I take it one step further and I use a sprouted grain bread! Just keep the sandwich fillings healthy too. Most deli meats are low in fat (just not salami, pepperoni, etc), but also check for a lower sodium content if possible. Again, use light toppings like vegetables and not big globs of mayonaise or anything. If I want something rich and creamy, I use a few avocado slices. The fat in avocado is the healthy unsaturated fat.
Good luck to you! I hope it all goes well and congrats on giving up smoking!
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